Wildlife spotting
Discover a rich abundance of flora and fauna as you explore the Scottish canals, including beautiful scenery and a variety of wildlife.
Scottish canals, are a picturesque network of waterways that not only boasts breathtaking landscapes but also harbours a rich diversity of wildlife and fauna. As you navigate these tranquil canals, prepare to be enchanted by the array of captivating creatures that call this region home. Majestic swans gracefully wade along the water's edge, while colourful kingfishers dart through the water. Keep your eyes peeled for the elusive otters as they playfully frolic in the shallows. And don't forget to marvel at the stunning wildflowers that adorn the canal banks, attracting a multitude of buzzing bees and vibrant butterflies.
Join us on this extraordinary journey to discover the thriving ecosystem of the Scottish Canals. See what you could spot below:
Mute Swan
Every canal in Scotland has some mute swans enjoying the laid back life on the water.
Otter
Rivers and rocky or coastal areas are the otters’ natural habitats, but they can also be spotted hunting their prey in quiet stretches of the canals.
Common Poppy
The common poppy – sometimes called ‘headwark’ as its heady odour was thought to cause headaches – is a lovely looking flower, and a pretty addition to towpath sides. They love disturbed ground – a reason why they became such a common sight between the trenches of the western front in WW1.
Kingfisher
A flash of sapphire is all you’re likely to see of this bird – a very good sign of the clean water it needs to hunt for fish and aquatic insects.
Common Hogweed
Common hogweed is on full show during late summer – its ‘umbel’ (like an umbrella) of flowers providing nectar for many species of insect. The tender shoots are fantastic eating when picked early in the year and sautéed in butter – boiled plant stems were an old cure for rheumatism in cattle.
Peacock Butterfly
The Peacock Butterfly is a familiar site along the canal corridors and is easily spotted, with the spectacular eyes on the upperside of the hindwings that give this butterfly its name.
Meadowsweet
The fluffy flowers of Meadowsweet look and smell lovely during late summer – enjoying damper ground. It served a purpose in days gone by as a ‘strewing herb’ – strewn across floors where its crushed scent could be released into the room. In the late 1800s salicin was developed from the plants juices and was given the name ‘aspirin’ by the pharmaceutical industry. It makes a great wine – the kick and the cure all in one bottle!
Grey Heron
Another creature commonly found along the canalside, the grey heron has a diet mainly of fish. But did you know that they also eat small birds such as ducklings, small mammals like voles, and amphibians?
Beaver
The Scottish Beaver Trial began in May 2009 when 3 beaver families were released into the wild at Knapdale. Since settling in to their new home, the beavers have been busy constructing lodges and building dams, swimming in the local lochs, and even taking the occasional dip in the Crinan Canal.
Common Toad
The Common Toad is a widespread amphibian found throughout Britain and prefers deep water bodies in which to breed, including fish ponds, farm ponds, reservoirs or canals. They have rough, ‘warty’ skin and tend to crawl rather than hop.
Vipers Bugloss
Vipers bugloss is a tall and striking plant which, in the language of flowers, stands for falsehood – snakes given a bad name once again! Painted lady butterflies love the nectar rich flowers and the leaves are shaped as the Greek derived name suggests – ‘bou’ meaning ox and ‘glosso’ meaning tongue.